As we had just entered Thailand early in the morning, we do have ample time to make the remaining 500km in journey from Sadao Border to Phuket Island. Therefore we are able to take our timer heading up with ample time to visit places as well as visit some interesting sites in the southern states of Thailand. Our first stop as usual is to drop by Route 41 Cafe in Phattalung to visit our friends the owner of the cafe as well as to have coffees and cakes. Route 41 cafe is a great stop along the main highway 41 up north from Sadao towards Phang Nga. There are souvenirs to be purchased from this establishment as well.

From Phattalung we follows the Route 41 highway that meanders along the hills of Trang where the Andaman regions starts. We had a few stops along the way for petrol and rest as well as some snacks to fill the stomach along our journey. It is always a good practice not to eat a full meal while you are travelling long distance for the fear of being sleepy during the hot afternoon ride. Also remember to hydrate yourself often during the ride. It is advisable to stop for around 10 minutes for every 150km of distance covered just to take a break from the road and weather. <ost petrol stops features a supermarket eg. 7-11 stores where you can enjoy some air conditioned comfort while you shop for snacks.

Luek Suea Cave

We rode using trunk road towards Phuket. The road took us through plantation and the national forest reserve. We arrived in Phang Nga at 2pm and took a detour to a cave that we chanced upon along the way. Didnt want to miss it, we took a 15km U-turn to visit the Luek Suea cave.

Entering Phang Nga, we discovered a cave that has been made into an entrance to a garden. You will be able to ride your bike through the cave and exit on the other side to a beautiful lake garden that has been created. This cave is approximately around 100km out of Phuket.

We entered Phuket island at around 4 pm. To get into Phuket you have to cross the Sarasin bridge which link Phuket to the mainland. We made good time to reach Phuket and the weather was a blessing. We had left Gelang Patah in Johor, Malaysia at midnight and arrived at huket island by 4pm after spending 16 hours on the road. For this IO had tried to reach Phuket from Sadao on one full tank of Petrol. The BMW R1200 GSA boasts a 30 litre fuel tank which on average can hit up to 550km when travelling at speeds of about 120 km/ph to 150 km/ph. Therefore we had decided to give it a go to pump once in Thailand and strecth the full tank of petrol between Sadao to Phuket. It did not disappoint.

Upon entry, we decided to look around for a hotel where we could spend the next few days, somewhere centrally located, near the shopping district as well as the beachside of Patong. We will also be meeting up some of our friends who have flown into Phuket with their families and catch up with them as well spend time together going around Phuket. It will be Feroze's first time meeting them.

After a good rest in the hotel, we ventured out at night along the Patong strip seeking out halal food as well as meeting up with our friends who are in the area. So here we met up with Udin Sudman (a riding buddy of mine) who is in Phuket with his family this time round. We met up for dinner and shop around the night market. Zamre, also a BMW GS rider has flown in to Phuket for leisure and will be joining us as well.

Phrom Thep Cape

This is my favourite place in the whole of Phuket. Never will I miss a chance to visit this magnificent scenery. Known of iots beautifull sunset over the Andaman, it is always filled with tourist and locals alike during sunset each day. Literally translate as Brahmas Cape, Laem Phromthep is perhaps one of Phuket's most important landmarks. There is a saying that you havent been to Phuket unless you visit Laem Phromthep. It is here that visitors soak up the sun and savor the breathtaking panoramic view of the Andaman sea from the islands southern-most tip. The Cape is crowded especially in the evening, as it is a popular observation point at Sunset. Laem Phromthep is located approximately 2 kilometers from Rawai Beach.

Phromthep Cape or Laem Phromthep is the Phuket's southernmost cape and the most beautiful Sunset viewpoint in Thailand especially in late December-March. The gold glimmering light is gradually painting on the water surface is the breathtaking view of many visitors. From the Cape you can see Kaew Island in the front, Nai Ya Beach on the left and Nai Han Beach on the right. Sugar palm trees and grass painted with gold sunlight in the summer are the unique things only seen in Phuket. One of the landmarks in Phromthep Cape is Kanjanaphisek Lighthouse which was built on the occasion of King Bhumibol's 50thanniversary accession

Windmill Point

From there we headed up to Windmill point. This place used to be a road leading up to a meteorological station on the hill. Access is via a small service road leading the thegates of the station. Back then this spot was not so popular with tourist as it was not on the tlist ourist map. Lately, the beauty of the scenery here has caught on and has now become a place of interest listed on the tourist map.

From the viewing of the capes, we headed to catch the elephants at the elephant camps. And then we head down for lunch in Rawai Beach. As we were finishing our lunch the sky does not look too good. Dark clouds are coming in and we decided to head back to the hotel so that we would not be caught in the storm.

Once the rain clear in the early night, we headed out for the shopping strip and went shopping for items at the night market as well as the factory outlet. Spent the rest of the night chilling over coffee and ice cream with Zamre on one of the alleys of Patong Beach.

Ride To Phuket 2017

Day 3

Phuket

On our 3rd day today, we again will be going out around the island for some activities and sight seeing that we had missed out yesterday due to the storm that brew in the mid afternoon. We had planned for some ATV ride and also a round of shooting at Phuket Shooting Arena.

Visiting the BMW MOTORRAD in Phuket.

I always make it a point to visit some friends of mine during my trip. I had friends in BMW Phuket over the years of riding the BMW bikes. Therefore decided to drop by and visit.

From here we shall be linking up with Udin Sudman and family to visit some of the places around the area together. The meetup point will be at the PREMIUM OUTLET PHUKET. This outlet houses many international famous brands and are selling their goods at heavily discounted prices.

UPSIDE DOWN HOUSE PHUKET

We had decided to head on to the Upside down house Phuket which is nearby and suitable for families with children. Baan Teelanka Phuket is a family-friendly attraction located around 10 km north of Phuket Town. The complex offers 3 main activities to entertain the whole family. Baan Teelanka is a 3-storey upside house with A-Maze-in-Phuket, a maze-shaped garden in its backyard. The 13-metre-tall Baan Teelanka lets you leave all logic behind as you enter the house from its roof, passing through the attic to reach the 2nd floor. You can visit all the rooms like in a standard house – the only difference is that you do so while walking on the ceiling. See 3 bedrooms (including a children's bedroom), living room, kitchen, and bathroom, with all furnishings and decorations hanging upside down. A flight of stairs takes you to the 3rd floor, where you'll find a garage and utility room. This floor overlooks the maze garden at the back of the house.

Back into town and chilled pver coffee and cakes at the iconic Central Festival.

Ride To Phuket 2017

Day 4

Phuket - Hatyai

400km

Today we are heading out of Phuket, Southbound towards Hatyai for a night. Left Phuket in the late morning. Riding down about 400km from Phuket to Hatyai. First stop in Hatyai before we head to the hotel will be at a sticker shop. Feroze wanted to make a thai number plate sticker for his bike and I had a few people who had asked me for a favour to make the stickers for them.

We also visited some of the motorcycle apparels shops in Hatyai

As usual in Hatyai, we would spend our time feasting on the street food. Lee gardens had setup a permanent Walking Street for vendors to sell food and their wares/souvenirs. This is a much welcome move as it has been legalised for the vendors to set up their stalls within this premises and help become a focal point among the tourist at night.

Ended off the night with some massage and rest for the next day's ride soyhbound to Singapore.

Ride To Phuket 2017

Day 5

Hatyai - Singapore

880km

Left Hatyai in the early morning so that we could be back in Singapore by late afternoon. It wioll be another 880km of ride back inclusive of 2 border clearance Thailand - Malaysia - Singapore.

The Next Day...

The test went well it seems. Back to the reality of mugging for exams and studying

TILL OUR NEXT ADVENTURE !!!!